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Patriotism  Through  Education  Series 


Annual  Report  upon 
the  Educational  Work 

of 

The  National  Security  League 


BY 

ROBERT  McNUTT  McELROY 


Educational  Director 


Issued  by 


THE  I^TIONAL  SECURITY  LEAGUE 
19  WEST  44th  STREET 
NEW  YORK  CITY 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2015 


https://archive.org/details/annualreportupon01nati 


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1 


Annual  Report  of  the  Educational  Director  of 
The  National  Security  League 
August  1 9 1 7 — August  1918 


On  August  29,  1917,  I entered  upon  my  duties  as  Educa- 
cational  Director  of  the  National  Security  League,  having 
already  served  for  about  a month  as  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Patriotism  Through  Education.  The  duties  of  these 
offices  were  but  vaguely  defined,  and  the  equipment  consisted 
of  a desk  in  a small  room  in  the  old  quarters  of  the  League, 
at  31  Pine  Street,  and  a card  index  of  about  a thousand 
speakers  enrolled  by  Professor  Albert  Bushnell  Hart,  who  had 
been  the  first  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Patriotism 
Through  Education.  But  very  little  machinery  was  then 
needed,  as  it  was  quite  easy  to  carry  in  one’s  head  all  details 
connected  with  the  work  of  the  Bureau. 

By  degrees,  however,  the  activities  of  the  Speaker’s  Bu- 
reau increased  and  a more  systematic  handling  of  engagements 
became  necessary. 

Next  came  the  development  of  the  idea,  originally  sug- 
gested by  Mr.  Menken,  of  bringing  the  great  universities  and 
colleges  of  this  country  to  an  interest  in  the  work  of  the 
League.  Mr.  Menken’s  idea  had  been  that  ultimately  we  might 
hope  to  have  four  salaried  representatives — one  in  the  East, 
one  in  the  South,  one  in  the  Middle  West,  and  one  in  the  far 
West,  who  would  devote  their  entire  time  to  speaking  upon 
the  question  of  American  patriotism  and  kindred  subjects. 


I. — The  Representatives  of  Universities. 

Our  first  general  educational  conference  was  held  at  the 
Hotel  Astor  on  July  26th,  1917.  There  were  present,  in  addi- 
tion to  the  representatives  of  the  League,  the  Federal  Commis- 
sioner of  Education,  the  President  of  Vassar  College,  a repre- 


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sentative  of  the  Mayor’s  Committee  on  National  Defense,  and 
the  State  Commissioners  of  Education  of  New  York,  New 
Jersey,  West  Virginia,  Kentucky  and  Delaware.  The  most 
important  action  taken  was  the  approval  of  a plan  for  bringing 
the  Federal  Commissioner  of  Education,  the  representatives  of 
universities  and  the  representatives  of  public  schools  into  an 
organization  designed  to  emphasize  the  fundamental  needs  of 
thinking  educationally  in  terms  larger  than  villages,  counties 
or  states.  It  was  arranged  that  the  Federal  Commissioner 
should  issue  a proclamation  to  every  school  in  America,  set- 
ting aside  a special  day  in  the  autumn  of  1917  to  be  devoted 
to  exercises  interpreting  the  meaning  of  the  war  and  the  duties 
of  American  educators  in  this  national  crisis.  The  Educa- 
tional Director  was  authorized,  in  the  name  of  the  conference, 
to  send  letters  to  the  principal  educators  of  America  asking  for 
their  co-operation  in  these  plans  and  also  in  plans  for  attack- 
ing the  problem  of  the  immigrant  as  a fundamental  problem  of 
our  public  education. 

On  October  13,  1917,  a second  conference  growing  out  of 
this  assembled  at  the  Bar  Association,  New  York  City.  There 
were  present  five  college  presidents  and  the  official  repre- 
sentatives of  about  sixteen  colleges  and  educational  founda- 
tions. It  was  resolved : 

First,  that  the  colleges  and  universities  of  the  country  be 
requested  to  contribute  speakers  to  aid  in  the  work  of  inter- 
preting to  the  people  the  meaning  of  the  war. 

Second,  that  committees  be  appointed  to  aid  in  the  develop- 
ment of  courses  of  instruction  relating  to  the  training  of  citi- 
zens. Such  courses  were  to  be  planned  for  elementary,  inter- 
mediate and  high  school,  as  well  as  for  college  and  university 
work. 

Third,  that  the  colleges  and  universities  be  requested  to 
donate  specially  qualified  members  of  their  faculties  to  work 
in  co-operation  for  one  year  in  patriotic  propaganda  and  in 
the  study  of  great  problems  of  education  which  especially 
affect  citizenship  in  a republic. 

These  resolutions  were  unanimously  approved,  and  under 
their  sanction  an  appeal  was  sent  asking  colleges  and  universi- 


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ties  to  release  professors  on  full  salary  for  the  work  of  the 
Campaign  of  Patriotism  Through  Education.  In  response  to 
this  invitation  the  presidents  of  ten  universities,  beginning  with 
Columbia,  Harvard,  Williams  and  Johns  Hopkins,  at  once 
intimated  a willingness  to  release  the  best  qualified  professors 
who  could  be  spared  from  their  academic  work.  Dr.  Lovejoy, 
who  was  offered  by  President  Goodnow  as  Johns  Hopkins’ 
representative,  and  Dr.  Frederick  M.  Davenport,  of  Hamil- 
ton College,  refused  the  appointments.  But  the  following  men 
accepted,  for  periods  varying  from  one  year  to  a few  months : 


Prof.  Franklin  H.  Giddings,  representing 
Prof.  William  Bennett  Munro,  “ 

Prof.  William  Henry  Schofield,  “ 

Prof.  Claude  Halstead  VanTyne,  “ 

Prof.  Walter  P.  Hall,  “ 

Prof.  Melanchthon  F.  Fibby,  “ 

Prof.  Ephraim  D.  Adams, 


Columbia 

Harvard 

Harvard 

Michigan 

Princeton 

Colorado 

Stanford 


(The  representative  from  the  University  of  Oregon  has 
not  yet  been  designated.) 


These  representatives  were  sent  into  various  sections  of 
the  United  States,  with  the  understanding  that  they  should : 

First,  push  propaganda  for  interpreting  the  meaning  of 
the  war  in  every  possible  way,  in  co-operation  with  public  offi- 
cials, educators,  newspapers,  churches,  universities,  granges, 
labor  organizations,  and  all  other  available  bodies. 

Second,  study  the  general  education  problems  of  the  coun- 
try with  a view  to  adjustments  in  the  days  of  reconstruction. 

This  work  has  proved  very  successful  and  is  still  in 
progress. 


Princeton’s  representative.  Professor  Walter  P.  Hall, 
spent  several  months  in  Oregon,  Washington  and  Idaho,  living 
a part  of  the  time  in  the  camps  with  the  big  timber  workers, 
discussing  problems  of  government  and  the  war  in  the  centers 
of  the  I.  W.  W.  Harvard’s  representative.  Professor  W.  B. 
Munro,  Professor  of  Municipal  Government,  spent  several 
months  in  California,  and  spoke  to  most  of  the  leading 
educational  institutions  in  the  state  and  to  many  labor  or- 
ganizations, commercial  clubs,  mass  meetings,  etc.  Professor 


5 


W.  H.  Schofield  ti'avelled  for  several  months  in  the  Middle 
West,  representing  jointly  the  Scandinavian  Foundation  of 
which  he  is  president,  Harvard  University  which  regularly 
sends  an  exchange  professor  to  five  western  colleges,  and  the 
educational  work  of  the  National  Security  League.  He  spoke 
extensively  and  with  very  great  success.  Professor  Franklin 
H.  Giddings  spent  several  months  in  Florida  and  other  south- 
ern states  where  he  greatly  influenced  educational  thought  and 
did  a valuable  work  in  the  interpretation  of  the  war.  Professor 
C.  H.  VanTyne  made  extensive  tours  in  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois 
and  Michigan,  and  has  since  spent  several  months  in  the  east 
where  he  has  spoken  to  the  school  teachers  of  about  fifteen 
cities  and  has  made  numerous  public  addresses.  He  has  also 
written  a number  of  important  propaganda  and  educational 
articles  for  newspapers  and  magazines.  He  is  now  Regional 
Director  for  the  League  in  the  district  once  known  as  the 
northwest  territory. 

Professor  Ephraim  D.  Adams  has  spent  three  months  in 
New  England  where  he  was  instrumental  in  starting  the  Law- 
rence Plan,  which  represents  a promising  educational  experi- 
ment in  the  teaching  of  American  ideals  in  the  public  schools. 
The  Massachusetts  Board  of  Education  has  permitted  two 
especially  qualified  teachers  from  the  State  Normal  School  at 
Lowell,  Miss  Blanche  A.  Cheney  and  Miss  Alma  McCrura,  to 
take  charge  of  the  experimental  work  in  the  Oliver  School  at 
Lawrence  where  the  experiments  are  to  be  made.  The  Oliver 
School  is  well  adapted  for  this  work,  being  a public  school  with 
about  fourteen  hundred  children  of  all  grades  up  to  the  high 
school,  and  with  forty  teachers.  This  experiment  is  under  a 
board  of  directors  composed  of  five  men : Bernard  M.  Sheri- 
dan, Superintendent  of  Schools,  Lawrence,  Mass.,  Chairman; 
John  J.  Mahoney,  Principal  of  State  Normal  School,  Lowell, 
Mass.,  Secretary ; Ephraim  D.  Adams,  Professor  of  History, 
Leland  Stanford  University;  Paul  H.  Hanus,  Pi'ofessor  of  the 
History  and  Art  Teaching,  Harvard  University;  Albert  Bush- 
nell  Hart,  Professor  of  Government,  Harvard  University. 
They  are  conducting  it  without  the  control  of  either  the  Na- 
tional Security  League  or  of  the  Massachusetts  Board  of  Edu- 
cation, both  of  which  however  are  represented  upon  the  Board 
of  Directors  and  upon  the  Advisory  Committee,  which  con- 
sists of  H.  H.  Chamberlain,  Payson  Smith  and  R.  M.  McElroy. 


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The  League  has  financed  the  experiment  in  the  school  to  the 
extent  of  five  thousand  dollars,  and  is  to  publish  the  results  as 
they  are  ready  to  be  announced. 

This  is  only  the  most  important  of  the  many  results  which 
have  followed  from  Professor  Adams’  residence  in  New  Eng- 
land. He  has  now  returned  to  California  where  he  will  be 
the  Regional  Director  for  the  League,  having  in  charge  the 
states  of  Washington,  Oregon  and  California.  He  will  there 
continue  the  work  in  which  he  has  been  so  successful  in  New 
England,  in  recognition  of  which  he  received  the  degree  of 
LL.D.  from  Tufts  College. 

Professor  M.  F.  Libby,  representing  the  University  of 
Colorado,  has  spent  six  weeks  in  the  main  office  in  New  York 
and  compiled  the  little  catechism  called  “War  Points  for 
Americans”  which  we  used  in  the  teachers’  training  courses  in 
the  summer  schools  of  forty-six  states  during  the  past  summer, 
and  of  which  we  have  distributed  several  hundred  thousand 
copies,  chiefly  to  teachers.  Professor  Libby  is  now  Regional 
Director  for  the  League  in  a Region  which  includes  Colorado, 
Arizona,  New  Mexico,  Utah  and  Wyoming.  He  has  under- 
taken the  task  of  inducing  each  of  these  five  states  to  make 
courses  upon  the  meaning  of  the  war  compulsory  for  all 
seventh  and  eighth  grade  children.  He  has  presented  this  plan 
to  the  educational  authorities  in  Colorado  and  has  forwarded 
to  the  main  office  letters  of  approval  from  the  state  superin- 
tendent of  education,  Mrs.  Mary  C.  C.  Bradford,  recently 
President  of  the  National  Education  Association,  from  the  Gov- 
ernor of  the  state,  and  from  every  district  school  superintend- 
ent in  the  state.  These  letters,  together  with  a letter  of  approval 
from  Federal  Commissioner  Claxton,  have  been  embodied  in  a 
little  pamphlet  meant  to  make  available  for  the  representatives 
of  the  League  in  other  states  the  methods  by  which  Professor 
Libby  has  organized  the  state  of  Colorado.  Professor  Libby 
is  confident  that  Utah,  Arizona,  New  Mexico  and  Wyoming 
will  at  once  follow  the  course  agreed  upon  in  Colorado. 

Meanwhile,  on  November  17,  Colonel  Lydecker,  now 
President  of  the  League,  moved  in  the  Executive  Committee 
that  as  a national  necessity  and  as  a war  measure  we  call  on 
every  board  of  education,  school  commissioner  and  school 
committee  to  put  into  the  curricula  of  the  schools  without 
delay  as  part  of  each  day’s  actual  tuition,  facts  showing  why 


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we  are  at  war  with  Germany,  and  the  duty  of  every  Amer- 
ican to  support  the  conduct  of  the  war  loyally  and  by  service. 
The  resolution  also  suggested  a committee  to  confer  with  the 
members  of  the  Board  of  Education  of  New  York  City  offer- 
ing them  the  co-operation  of  the  League  in  any  way  deemed 
proper  to  the  future  of  their  work.  This  suggestion  resulted 
in  a meeting  with  Dr.  Arthur  Somers,  then  regarded  as  likely 
to  be  the  next  President  of  the  Board  of  Education,  and  six 
other  prominent  members  of  the  New  York  educational  sys- 
tem. After  full  discussion  of  plans  and  aims,  a friendly  un- 
derstanding was  reached  which  has  given  us  easy  access  to 
the  Board  of  Education  since  that  time.  Their  friendly  in- 
terest in  the  educational  work  of  the  League  has  been  of  great 
value. 


II. — State-wide  Propaganda  Campaigns. 

NEW  YORK. 

The  first  general  propaganda  campaign  undertaken  on  a 
large  scale  was  the  state-wide  speaking  campaign  in  New 
York.  President  MacCracken  of  Vassar  was  in  charge  of  the 
work  of  organization  and  most  of  the  detail  work  was  done 
by  Professor  Burges  Johnson.  Several  other  patriotic  organ- 
izations were  associated  with  us  in  the  movement  which  was 
planned  upon  a generous  scale,  and  carried  out  with  admir- 
able precision.  We  had  thirty-six  prominent  speakers,  and 
during  the  six  days  of  the  campaign  large  mass  meetings  were 
addressed  by  them  in  every  county  in  the  state  of  New  York, 
meetings  running  in  numbers  to  as  large  as  ten  thousand. 
This  campaign  was  largely  financed  by  the  League,  but  its  suc- 
cess was  chiefly  due  to  President  MacCracken  and  Professor 
Johnson. 

NEW  JERSEY. 

Immediately  following  this  we  proceeded  to  organize  the 
state  of  New  Jersey  and  the  state  of  Vermont  for  similar 
campaigns. 

The  New  Jersey  campaign  was  planned  and  conducted  by 
the  National  Security  League,  local  organizations  co-operating. 


8 


The  burden  of  the  work  was  borne  by  W.  E.  Remington,  now 
a member  of  this  Executive  Committee.  He  gave  a full  month 
of  his  time  to  the  task  and  succeeded  in  carrying  out  a very 
elaborate,  well  conceived  plan.  This  plan  was  embodied  later 
in  a pamphlet  which  we  gave  to  the  Committee  on  Public  In- 
formation when  it  started  its  national  campaign. 

VERMONT. 

Our  Vermont  campaign  was  equally  successful,  and  on 
the  basis  of  these  experiments  we  formed  plans  for  a nation- 
wide campaign,  to  consist  of  a State  War  Council,  followed 
by  a series  of  mass  meetings,  which  in  turn  were  to  be  fol- 
lowed by  the  organization  of  a house  to  house  canvass,  in  each 
state. 


III. — Plans  for  the  Bureau  of  Public  Information. 

At  this  point  the  National  Committee  on  Public  In- 
formation decided  to  attempt  to  co-ordinate  under  one  leader- 
ship all  the  propaganda  organizations  in  America.  Mr.  Arthur 
E.  Bestor,  Secretary  of  our  Committee  on  Patriotism  Through 
Education,  was  selected  to  lead  this  co-ordinating  movement 
as  Director  of  the  Speakers’  Division  of  the  Committee  on 
Public  Information.  He  called  together  the  representatives 
of  twenty-three  societies  who  were  asked  to  constitute  an  ad- 
visory committee  of  the  Division  of  public  speaking.  As  a 
member  of  this  committee  and  as  having  been  directly  con- 
nected with  the  conduct  of  three  state-wide  propaganda  cam- 
paigns, your  Educational  Director  was  asked  to  suggest  de- 
tailed plans  for  a national  campaign  to  be  conducted  by  the 
allied  societies  under  the  direction  of  the  Bureau  of  Public 
Information.  He  was  allowed  to  select  two  other  members  to 
work  with  him,  and  together  they  presented  the  following 
report,  which  was  unanimously  adopted : 

“The  sub-committee  appointed  by  the  inter-patriotic  or- 
ganization meeting  called  by  Mr.  Bestor  on  October  31,  1917, 
begs  to  submit  the  following  unanimous  report : 

“First,  that  the  organization  represented  in  this  confer- 


9 


ence  be  urged  to  unite  in  conducting,  beginning  Thanksgiving 
Day,  1917,  a national  intensive  campaign  designed  to  bring  to 
the  people  of  America  an  intelligent  understanding  of  the 
meaning  of  the  war.  That  such  an  understanding  is  of  vital 
importance  to  the  winning  of  the  war  is  a self-evident  proposi- 
tion. That  such  an  intelligent  understanding  is  by  no  means 
universal  is  also  self-evident. 

“Second:  We  suggest  that  this  campaign  be  conducted 
upon  lines  somewhat  as  follows : 

“1.  That  large  cities — New  York,  Boston,  Philadelphia, 
Chicago,  St.  Louis,  Louisville,  Kansas  City,  Milwaukee,  St. 
Paul,  New  Orleans,  Atlanta,  Cleveland,  San  Francisco,  etc. — 
be  organized  under  the  direction  of  local  committees  ap- 
pointed by  the  State  Councils  of  Defense  and  the  Woman’s 
Committee  of  the  National  Council  of  Defense,  and  that  plans 
for  such  organization  be  reported  by  Mr.  Bestor  at  the  next 
general  meeting  of  this  council  of  patriotic  societies. 

“2.  That,  as  a preliminary  to  the  intensive  campaign,  it 
is  important  that  committees  operate  in  each  state : 

“(a)  To  collect,  catalog,  and  grade  according  to  the  size 
of  the  audience  to  which  they  are  fitted,  patriotic  citizens  of  the 
state  who  have  the  ability  to  speak  and  are  willing  to  take 
part  in  a state-wide  speaking  campaign. 

“(b)  To  collect  information  concerning  all  important 
ready-made  audiences  likely  to  be  convened  within  the  state 
during  the  next  six  months  or  a year,  and  to  correspond  with 
the  organizers  of  these  meetings  with  a view  to  getting  per- 
mission to  place  before  them  able  speakers  to  expound  the 
meaning  of  the  war. 

“(c)  To  approach  all  the  newspapers  in  each  state  and 
to  try  to  induce  them  to  promise  to  give  to  the  state-wide  cam- 
paign and  the  arguments  presented  by  the  speakers  the  largest 
possible  publicity. 

“3.  That  as  soon  as  these  committees  are  ready  to  report, 
or  to  make  a preliminary  report,  a war  conference  for  the 
state  be  organized  to  consist  of  delegates  sent  to  some  specified 


10 


point  from  every  school  district  in  the  state.  That  this  war 
conference  be  organized  somewhat  as  follows — 

“Four  or  five  speakers  of  the  greatest  ability  and  promi- 
nence in  the  country — speakers  of  national  reputation — be 
enrolled  for  the  task  of  visiting  in  succession  the  war  con- 
ference of  each  state.  That  this  program  be  arranged  in  such 
a way  as  to  give  these  speakers  the  best  opportunity  to  inspire 
the  delegates  with  the  importance  of  winning  the  war,  with 
the  danger  of  a premature  peace,  with  the  vital  necessity  of 
having  the  people  of  every  respective  district  clearly  under- 
stand what  the  war  means  and  why  America  was  compelled 
to  intervene.  That  during  the  war  conference,  which  would 
normally  occupy  parts  of  two  days,  the  delegates  shall  con- 
sider in  body  the  question  of  what  are  the  strategic  points 
within  the  state,  that  is,  the  points  at  which  large  mass  meet- 
ings ought  to  be  held.  That  these  points  be  marked  on  the 
map  of  the  state,  and  when  they  have  been  finally  decided, 
arrangements  be  made  for  the  largest  and  most  representative 
possible  meeting  at  each  point,  and  that  teams  of  speakers — 
the  most  eminent  speakers  that  can  be  gotten — be  sent  from 
one  of  these  points  to  the  other,  within  a week  addressing  each 
of  them. 

“That  similarly  about  each  of  these  points  where  mass 
meetings  have  been  held  there  shall  be  organized  in  the  same 
way  local  campaigns,  and  that  on  the  basis  of  the  county  or 
the  school  district  mass  meetings  be  conducted  by  the  state 
speakers  whose  names  have  been  collected  by  the  local  com- 
mittee, these  meetings  to  reach  back  into  the  country  as  far 
as  possible,  even  to  be  organized  as  family  gatherings  or  as 
meetings  in  small  schoolhouses  or  churches.  That  a campaign 
of  this  description  follow  in  each  state  the  state  war  confer- 
ence. That  schedules  for  the  states  be  arranged  in  such  a 
way  as  to  make  it  possible  for  a small  group  of  the  most 
eminent  speakers  in  the  country  to  make  continuous  tours, 
addressing  the  state-wide  mass  meetings,  taking  each  state 
in  turn. 

“4.  That  the  societies  here  represented  are  impressed 
with  the  belief  that  complete  education  of  the  public  demands 
that  a similar  campaign  be  conducted  for  the  soldiers  in  the 
cantonments. 


11 


“5.  That  a sub-committee  acting  for  these  allied 
patriotic  societies  be  appointed  to  add  all  possible  force  to  the 
so-called  ‘Wider  Use  Movement.’  ” 

Respectfully  submitted, 

MRS.  ANTOINETTE  FUNK, 
Woman’s  Committee  of  the  Council  of  National  Defense. 

CHARLES  P.  NEILL, 

Commission  on  Training  Camp  Activities,  War  Dept. 

ROBERT  McNUTT  McELROY, 
Educational  Director  National  Security  League. 

This  is  the  general  plan  upon  the  basis  of  which  Mr. 
Bestor’s  Bureau  has  conducted  its  campaign  of  propaganda. 
War  Councils  and  mass  meetings  have  been  held  in  many 
states,  and  the  National  Security  League  has  endeavored  in 
every  way  to  contribute  to  their  success. 


IV. — Separation  of  the  Speakers’  Bureau. 

By  the  middle  of  October,  1917,  the  work  of  the  Speak- 
er’s Bureau  had  reached  a point  at  which  it  demanded  more 
time  than  could  be  given  by  any  one  then  in  the  League,  with- 
out injury  to  other  important  activities.  Dr.  Thomas  J. 
Preston,  Jr.,  offered  his  services  as  a volunteer  and  on  Octo- 
ber 15  entered  upon  the  work  of  scheduling  speakers  and 
planning  speaking  campaigns.  At  the  same  time  Mrs.  Preston 
was  persuaded  to  come  to  New  York  and  assume  the  duties 
of  Secretary  of  the  Bureau  of  Patriotism  Through  Education. 

A few  weeks  later,  by  resolution  of  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee, the  Speaker’s  Bureau  was  erected  into  an  independent 
department,  and  Dr.  Preston  was  made  its  Director,  reporting 
directly  to  the  Executive  Committee. 


V. — The  New  York-Chicago  Exchange  of  Lecturers. 

As  the  problems  before  the  Bureau  of  Patriotism  Thi'ough 
Education  gradually  became  clearer  through  constant  study,  we 
began  to  feel  that  the  quickest  method  of  accomplishing  the 


12 


results  which  we  had  in  mind  was  to  organize  a campaign  for 
the  teaching  of  teachers.  As  a preliminary  to  this  campaign 
we  suggested  to  the  Boards  of  Education  of  New  York  and 
Chicago  that  they  arrange,  in  conjunction  with  the  National 
Security  League,  an  exchange  of  patriotic  speakers  in  order 
that  the  public  school  teachers  of  these  two  cities  might  hear 
discussions  concerning  the  meaning  of  the  war  from  men 
especially  qualified  to  speak  upon  that  subject.  Both  boards 
agreed  to  arrange  for  compulsory  attendance  at  these  lectures, 
and  W.  A.  Evans,  Clifford  G.  Roe,  H.  Franklin  Rail, 
Andrew  C.  McLaughlin,  Theodore  G.  Soares,  Marcus  Kava- 
nagh,  John  Dill  Robertson,  John  D.  Shoop,  representing 
Chicago,  and  Talcott  Williams,  Job  E.  Hedges,  Isaac  Lan- 
sing, Thomas  W.  Churchill,  Robert  Moore,  Robert  McNutt 
McElroy,  representing  New  York,  addressed  thus  within  five 
days  about  twenty-eight  thousand  public  school  teachers.  The 
report  from  each  Board  of  Education  after  the  exchange  was 
over  bore  testimony  to  the  fact  that  it  had  been  a very  valuable 
experience.  The  following  letters  and  telegrams  are  fair  ex- 
amples of  many  received. 


TELEGRAM. 

New  York,  March  22,  1918. 


Dr.  R.  M.  McElroy, 

Jefferson  Hotel, 

St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Courses  of  lectures  finished.  Everyone  delighted  with 
results.  President  Somers,  Supt.  Straubenmiiller  and  Mr. 
Preston  send  greetings  and  congratulations.  This  will  be  fore- 
runner of  a nation-wide  movement  for  Patriotic  Education. 
Shall  leave  for  Chicago  Saturday  one  o’clock  Central,  Train 
forty-one.  Home  noon  Sunday. 


12:22  A.  M. 


13 


John  D.  Shoop. 
Supt.  of  Schools  of  Chicago. 


BOARD  OF  EDUCATION 
THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK 
500  PARK  AVENUE 


Dr.  Robert  M.  McElroy, 
National  Security  League, 
19  West  44th  Street, 
New  York  City. 

My  dear  Dr.  McElroy  : 


March  23,  1918. 


I am  quite  enthusiastic  over  the  result  of  the  lecture 
course  given  during  the  past  week.  Everywhere  I have  "heard 
the  finest  things  about  the  lectures.  We  are  indebted  to  the 
Board  of  Education  of  the  City  of  Chicago,  III,  for  their 
generous  co-operation  and  more  especially  to  the  distinguished 
lecturers,  who  honored  us  with  their  presence,  namely: 

Mr.  Clifford  G.  Roe 
Dr.  W.  A.  Evans 
Dr.  Frank  H.  Hall 
Judge  Marcus  Kavanagh 
Prof.  Andrew  C.  McLaughlin 
Dr.  John  Dill  Robertson 
Prof.  Theodore  G.  Soares 

You  may  be  interested  in  reading  a copy  of  one  of  the 
many  letters  I received,  which  is  enclosed.  This  expresses 
how  enthusiastic  the  teachers  feel  about  the  course. 

With  best  wishes,  believe  me. 

Very  truly  yours, 

Arthur  S.  Somers. 

President,  Board  of  Education. 


March  21,  1918. 

My  dear  Mr.  Somers  : 

I cannot  allow  another  day  to  pass  until  I tender  you  my 
personal  gratitude  for  the  splendid  treat  you  have  provided  in 
the  wonderful  lectures  which  I have  enjoyed  these  four  days 
past. 


14 


What  a fine  idea,  and  what  splendidly  capable  men  were 
selected  for  this  work. 

After  each  lecture  I would  say,  “this  is  most  certainly  the 
best  lecture  we  have  had  as  yet,”  and  so  it  goes  every  day. 

I can  scarcely  wait  for  to-morrow’s  lecture,  and  regret 
exceedingly  it  will  be  the  last  one. 

If  the  parents  of  the  children  in  our  schools  could  only 
have  such  an  opportunity,  perhaps  we  would  bring  them  around 
to  right  thinking. 

Be  that  as  it  may,  will  you  please  accept  my  thanks  for 
your  thoughtfulness. 

Gratefully  yours, 

Emma  M.  Avery. 

Teacher,  N.  Y.  Public  Schools. 


TELEGRAM. 

Chicago,  III.,  March  27,  1918.  2:04  A.  M. 


R.  M.  McElroy, 

National  Security  League, 

19  West  44th  Street,  New  York,  N.  Y. 

The  Principals  of  Chicago  desire  to  express  a deep  sense 
of  gratitude  to  the  Board  of  Education  of  New  York  for  send- 
ing superinspiring  lecturers  to  this  city  in  the  recent  exchange. 
A tide  of  patriotic  fervor  and  devotion  is  sweeping  our  schools 
and  city. 

(Signed)  John  D.  Shoop. 
Supt.  of  Schools  of  Chicago. 

April  6,  1918. 

To  THE  National  Security  League  and  Co-Workers — 
Greeting: 

We,  the  Superintendent  and  Principals  of  the  First  Dis- 
trict of  the  Chicago  Public  Schools,  desire  herewith  to  express 
our  warm  appreciation  of  the  inspiring  patriotic  addresses  re- 


15 


cently  made  to  the  teaching  force  of  the  district  by : — Robert 
M.  McElroy,  Professor  Robert  Moore,  Honorable  Job  E. 
Hedges,  Dr.  Thomas  W.  Churchill,  Dr.  Isaac  Lansing,  and 
Dr.  Talcott  Williams. 

The  words  of  these  speakers  have  enlarged  our  vision, 
enriched  our  understanding,  and  strengthened  our  desire  for 
greater  service  in  this  world  crisis. 

We  also  wish  to  thank  the  National  Security  League  for 
its  generous  and  splendid  work  in  summoning  the  loyalty  and 
devotion  of  the  citizens  of  America  to  the  aid  of  their  Gov- 
ernment. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

M.  Elizabeth  Earson, 
Mary  F.  Willard, 

Committee. 

1732  Sherman  Avenue, 

Evanston,  Illinois. 

The  New  York-Chicago  Exchange  of  War  Lecturers  was 
the  beginning  of  a plan  which  we  hope  to  extend  during  the 
coming  academic  year  to  many  of  the  great  cities  of  America. 
The  Commissioner  of  Schools  of  St.  Louis  has  expressed  him- 
self as  willing  to  arrange  such  an  exchange  between  the  boards 
of  education  of  six  cities  of  the  general  class  of  St.  Louis. 
This  will  be  taken  up  at  the  beginning  of  the  next  term. 


VI. — The  Independent  as  Our  Official  Organ. 

At  about  this  time  we  received  from  the  editors  of  The 
Independent,  without  solicitation  on  our  part,  an  invitation  to 
make  that  journal  the  official  organ  of  the  Committee  on 
Patriotism  Through  Education.  We  accepted  the  invitation, 
and  a special  issue,  with  a specially  designed  cover,  inaugurated 
the  beginning  of  this  relationship.  The  engagement  provided 
that  we  should  furnish  an  article  for  each  issue  of  The  Inde- 
pendent for  fifteen  consecutive  weeks,  discussing  in  these  arti- 
cles the  questions  most  fundamental  to  the  Campaign  of 
Patriotism  Through  Education.  That  series  has  now  been 
completed  successfully,  and  there  is  ground  for  believing  that 
the  articles  have  accomplished  important  results. 


16 


As  you  will  see  by  inspection  of  the  March  9th  issue  of 
The  Independent,  we  were  able  to  secure  as  favorable  to  the 
plans  of  Patriotism  Through  Education  the  name  of  every 
State  Commissioner  of  Education  in  the  United  States  ex- 
cept Dr.  E.  W.  Butterfield  of  New  Hampshire,  who  has  since 
indicated  his  complete  willingness  to  co-operate  with  us.  The 
list  of  college  presidents  given  in  the  same  issue  shows  that 
the  same  is  true  of  the  heads  of  the  most  important  institutions 
of  higher  learning  in  America. 


VII. — Teaching  Teachers  in  Summer  Schools. 

Several  months  ago  we  conceived  the  idea  that  the  summer 
vacation  might  be  used  for  gathering  into  definite  centers 
large  numbers  of  school  teachers  who  could  thus  be  brought 
face  to  face  with  eminent  speakers  and  teachers  especially 
qualified  to  speak  concerning  the  meaning  of  the  war.  At 
first,  after  consultation  with  certain  of  the  professors  who  had 
been  assigned  to  our  work  by  the  colleges,  we  thought  of  estab- 
lishing independent  centers,  but  after  correspondence  with 
certain  other  educators  it  seemed  wiser  to  make  use  of  ex- 
isting summer  schools  for  this  purpose.  We  accordingly  sent 
a letter  to  the  directors  of  about  seven  hundred  teachers’  sum- 
mer schools,  asking  whether  they  would  be  willing  to  schedule 
as  a part  of  their  regular  summer  work,  a course  designed  to 
interpret  the  war  to  the  teachers  and  to  give  them  a larger 
vision  of  the  possibilities  of  their  profession,  in  connection  with 
the  cause  for  which  we  are  fighting. 

The  responses  were  uniformly  favorable,  and  in  order  to 
procure  teachers  of  the  necessary  power  of  inspiration  and 
world  outlook,  we  selected  fifty  names  of  men  whose  ways  of 
life  and  whose  special  training  have  fitted  them  for  this  super- 
teaching. To  each  of  these  inspirational  speakers  we  sent  a 
letter  asking  that  he  donate  a month  of  his  summer  vacation  to 
the  work  of  teaching  teachers.  A sufficient  number  accepted 
the  commission,  and  in  order  to  add  to  the  inspirational 
speeches  systematic  courses  conducted  by  professional  teachers 
we  sent  to  the  universities  and  colleges  whose  facilities  num- 
ber more  than  fifty  a letter  asking  them  to  donate  professors 
for  the  work.  In  reply  we  received  the  names  of  about  two 


17 


hundred  professors  and  instructors  who  expressed  themselves 
as  willing  to  undertake  this  work,  without  compensation  other 
than  their  actual  personal  expenses. 

The  list  of  those  thus  generously  giving  their  services 
will  be  of  permanent  interest  to  the  League,  and  although  long, 
I think  it  wise  to  insert  it. 

Bailey,  Dr.  L.  H.,  Harrisonburg,  Va.,  State  Normal,  July  1,  2,  3 
Baton  Rouge,  La.,  State  University,  July  15,  16 
Natchitoches,  La.,  State  Normal,  July  18,  19 
Austin,  Tex.,  University,  July  22 
San  Marcos,  Tex.,  State  Normal,  July  23 
Huntsville,  Tex.,  Sam  Houston  College,  July  25,  26 
Tallahassee,  Fla.,  State  College  for  Women,  July  29,  30,31 

Buffa,  Dr.  P.  L.,  Brooklyn  N.  Y.,  Adelphi  College,  July  24 

Brown,  Dean  C.  R.,  Los  Angeles,  University  of  Calif.,  July  9,  10,  11 
Los  Angeles,  University  of  So.  Calif.,  July  9,  10,  11 
Berkeley,  University  of  Calif.,  July,  3rd  week 

Carver,  Dr.  T.  N.,  Johnson,  Vt.  State  Normal,  July  23,  24,  25 

Churchill,  Dr.  T.  W.,  Collingswood,  N.  J.,  State  Summer,  July  19 
Ocean  City,  N.  J.,  State  Summer,  July  19 

Crowne,  Prof.  J.  V.,  Newark,  Del.,  College,  July  15-19 

Davage,  Dean  M.  S.,  Beaumont,  Tex.,  Summer  School,  July  13,  14 
Fort  Worth,  Tex.,  Summer  School,  July  17 
Houston,  Tex.,  Summer  School,  July  15 
La  Grange,  Tex.,  Summer  School,  July  11 
Waco,  Tex.,  Summer  School,  July  19 
Waedler,  Tex.,  Summer  School,  July  12 

Duniway,  Pres.  C.  A.,  Des  Moines,  la.,  Drake  University,  June  13,  14 
Des  Moines,  la..  Highland  Park  College,  June  13,  14 
Emporia,  Kans.,  State  Normal,  June  12 
Lawrence,  Kans.,  University,  July  10,  11 

Eberhart,  Gov.  A.  O.,  Newark,  Del.,  Delaware  College,  July  22-25 

Eby,  Prof.  Frederick,  Marshall,  Tex.,  Bishop  College 
Tyler,  Tex.,  Summer  School 

Frayer,  Dr.  W.  A.,  Minneapolis,  University  of  Minn.,  July  1,  2,  3 
Morris,  Minn.,  State  Summer,  July  5,  6 
Crookston,  Minn.,  State  Summer,  July  8,  9 
Moorehead,  Minn.,  State  Summer,  July  10,  11 
St.  Cloud,  Minn.,  State  Summer,  July  12,  13 
Duluth,  Minn.,  State  Summer,  July  15,  16 
Winona,  Minn.,  State  Summer,  July  18 
Mankato,  Minn.,  State  Summer,  July  19 

Gillespie,  J.  E.,  Rio  Grande,  O.,  College,  June  24- Aug.  2 


18 


Guthrie,  Prof.  W.  B.,  Gunnison,  Colo.,  State  Normal,  June  24-29 
Reno,  Nev.,  University,  July  1-6 
Laramie,  Wyo.,  University,  July  8-13 
Boulder,  Colo.,  July  15-20 
Ft.  Collins,  Colo.,  July  22-27 
Greeley,  Colo.,  State  Teach.  College,  Aug.  5-10 

Hart,  Dr.  H.  H.,  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  University,  July  12 
Valley  City,  N.  D.,  State  Normal,  July  16 
Minot,  N.  D.,  State  Normal,  July  15,  16 
University,  N.  D.,  University,  July  13,  14 
Grand  Forks,  N.  D.,  July  13,  14 

Hedges,  J.  E.,  Ocean  City,  N.  J.,  State  Summer,  July  13 

Hobbs,  Prof.  W.  H.,  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  University,  July  8-Aug.  17 

Howerton,  Prof.  J.  R.,  West  Raleigh,  N.  C.,  State  College  of  Agricul- 
ture, July  2,  3 

East  Radford,  Va.,  Normal,  July  30 
Princeton,  W.  Va.,  Aug.  20,  21 

Hubbart,  Prof.  H.  C.,  State  College,  Pa.,  Summer  Session  for  Teachers, 
July  1-Oct.  10 

Hunt,  Dr.  G.,  East  Radford,  Va.,  State  Normal  for  Women,  July 
2,  3,  4 

Salem,  W.  Va.,  Salem  College,  June  24,  25 

Judd,  Prof.  C.  H.,  Chicago,  111.,  Gregg  School,  July  24 

Chicago,  111.,  Applied  Arts  Summer  School,  July 
Chicago,  111.,  National  Summer  School  of  Music,  July 
Chicago,  111.,  National  Kindergarten  and  Elementary  Col- 
lege, July 

Chicago,  111.,  American  College  of  Physical  Education, 
July 

Libby,  Prof.  M.  F.,  Boulder,  Colo.,  University,  July  and  Aug. 

McElroy,  Dr.  R.  M.,  Ocean  City,  N.  J.,  State  Summer,  July  13 

Metcalfe,  T.  W.,  Newton,  N.  J.,  State  Summer,  Aug.  3 
Grove  City,  Pa.,  College,  July  11,  12 
New  Concord,  O.,  Muskingum  College,  July  8,  9 

Mitchell,  Pres.  S.  G.,  College  Station,  Tex.  A.  and  M.  College,  June 
24,  25 

Athens,  Ga.,  University  of  Georgia,  July  11,  12,  13 
Savannah,  Ga.,  July  15 

Moore,  Dean  L.  B.,  Hampton,  Va.,  Institute,  July  5 
Montgomery,  Ala.,  July  12 
Taladega,  Ala.,  July  9 
Shreveport,  La.,  July  16 
New  Orleans,  La.,  July  18 
Prentiss,  Miss.,  July  30 
Lexington,  Miss.,  Aug.  2 


19 


Alexandria,  Miss.,  July  17 
Gulfport,  Miss.,  July  26 
Md.  Bayou,  Miss.,  Aug.  5 
Clarksdale,  Miss.,  Aug.  5 
Tupelo,  Miss.,  Aug.  10 
Starksville,  Miss.,  Aug.  13 
Columbus,  Miss.,  Aug.  13 
Jackson,  Miss.,  July  26 
Brookhaven,  Miss.,  July  29 

Odell,  Dr.  W.  P.,  Burlington,  Vt.,  University,  July  16,  17,  18 

Otis,  Prof.  W.  B.,  Logan,  Utah,  Agricultural  College,  June  17,  18 
Salt  Lake,  Utah,  University,  June  20,  21,  22 
Albion,  Idaho,  State  Normal,  June  13,  14,  15 
Boise,  Idaho,  Summer  School,  July  22,  23 
Bellingham,  Wash.,  State  Normal,  July  15,  16 
Cheney,  Wash.,  State  Normal,  June  10,  11 
Ellenburg,  Wash.,  State  Normal,  July  18,  19,  20 
Puyallup,  Wash.,  State  College  of  Washington,  July  5,  6,  8 
Seattle,  Wash.,  University  of  Washington,  July  9,  10,  11 
Tacoma,  Wash.,  College  of  Puget  Sound,  July  5,  6,  8 
Eugene,  Ore.,  University,  June  27,  28,  29 
Portland,  Ore.,  Reed  College,  July  1,  2,  3 
Portland,  Ore.,  Summer  School  of  Primary  Method,  July 
1,  2,  3 

Potts,  Dean  C.  S.,  Weatherford,  Tex.,  Aug.  2 

Denton,  Tex.,  N.  Tex.  Normal,  July  30 
Arline,  Simmons  Summer  School,  July  31 

Pearson,  Prof.  C.  C,  Boothbay  Harbor,  Me.,  Commonwealth  Colony, 
July  29-Aug.  3 

Newark,  Del.,  College,  July  12,  13 

Rail,  Dr.  H.  F.,  Ames,  la..  State  College  of  Agriculture,  July  12 

Richmond,  Pres.  C.  A.,  Kent,  O.,  State  Normal,  June  24,  25,  26 
Defiance,  O.,  College,  June  28,  29 
Bluffton,  O.,  Menonities,  July  2,  3 
Richmond,  Va.,  Union  University,  June  18,  19 

Shiels,  Dr.  A.,  Albuquerque,  N.  Mex.,  University,  June  26,  27 

Las  Vegas,  N.  Mex.,  Normal  University,  June  27,  28,  29 
Silver  City,  N.  Mex.,  State  Normal,  June  24,  25 

Sperry,  Prof.  E.  E.,  Cape  Girardeau,  Mo.,  State  Normal,  June  20,  21,  22 
Wichita,  Kans.,  Fairmont  College,  June  24,  25 
Atlanta,  Ga.,  Lanier  University,  July  10,  11 
Auburn,  Ala.,  Polytechnic  Institute,  July  4,  5 
Tuskegee,  Ala.,  Inst.  Summer  Sessionfor  Teachers,  July  8,  9 
Meridian,  Miss.,  Summer  School,  July  1,  2 
Paris,  Tex.,  Summer  Normal,  June  27,  28 


20 


Sullivan,  Dr.  J.,  Cedar  Falls,  la.,  State  Teacher  College,  July  18,  19 
Des  Moines,  la.,  Drake  University,  July  15,  16 
Des  Moines,  la..  Highland  Park  College,  July  15,  16 
Peru,  Neb.,  State  Normal,  July  10,  11,  12 
Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  State  Normal,  July  1,  2 
Memphis,  Tenn.,  State  Normal,  July  8,  9 
Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  State  Normal,  July  18,  19 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  State  Normal,  July  3,  4 

Sutton,  Dean  W.  S.,  Amarillo,  Tex.,  July  17,  18 
Corpus  Christi,  Tex.,  Aug.  1,  2 
Austin,  Tex.,  Phair  School,  July  18 
Stephenville,  Tex.,  J.  Tarleton  A.  College,  July  15.  16 
Denton,  Tex.,  College  Industrial  Arts,  Aug.  12 
Canyon,  Tex.,  W.  Tex.  Normal,  Aug.  14,  15,  16 

Thomas,  Bishop  N.  S.,  Bozeman,  Mont.,  State  College  A.  and  M.  Art, 
July  10,  11,  12 

Gunnison,  Colo.,  State  Normal,  July  17,  18,  19 

Thompson,  Prof.  Holland,  Chapel  Hill,  N.  C.,  College,  July  24 
Elizabeth  City,  N.  C.,  Normal,  July  19,  20 
Fayetteville,  N.  C.,  Normal,  July  22,  23 
Greensboro,  N.  C.,  Normal,  July  29 
Winston-Salem,  N.  C.,  Normal,  July  15 

Tucker,  Dr.  St.  G.,  Athens,  O.,  University,  July  16 

Van  Tyne,  Prof.  C.  H.,  Ann  Arbor,  Mich.,  University  of  Michigan, 
July  4 

East  Lansing,  Mich.,  Agricultural  College,  July  1,  2,  3 
Marquette,  Mich.,  State  Normal,  July  16,  17,  18 
Charlottesville,  University  of  Virginia,  June  21,  22,  23 

Van  Zile,  Dr.  E.  S.,  Sioux  City,  la.,  Morningside  College  Summer 
School,  July  8,  9 

Aberdeen,  S.  D.,  North.  Normal  Industrial  School,  June 
18,  19 

Brookings,  S.  D.,  State  College,  June  24,  25,  26 

Huron,  S.  D.,  College,  June  20,  21,  22 

Madison,  S.  D.,  State  Normal  School,  June  28,  29,  30 

Vermillion,  S.  D.,  University,  July  4,  5 

Yankton,  S.  D.,  College^  July  2,  3 

Vincent,  Dr.  G.  E.,  Athens,  O.,  Ohio  University,  July  1 
Springfield,  O.,  Wittenberg  College,  July  2 
Angola,  Ind.,  Tri-State  College,  July  11 
Indianapolis,  Ind.,  Teachers  College,  July  3 
Indianapolis,  Ind.,  Normal  College  of  Gymnastics,  July  3 
Indianapolis,  Ind.,  Butler  College,  July  3 
Terre  Haute,  Ind.,  State  Normal,  July  5 
Qharleston,  111.,  Eastern  111.  State  Normal,  July  4 
DeKalb,  111.,  North.  111.  State  Normal.  July  10 
Macomb,  111.,  West.  111.  State  Normal,  July  9 


21 


Norma],  111.,  State  Normal  University,  July  8 
Ui'bana,  111.,  University  of  111.,  July  5 

Wilson,  M.  P.,  City  College,  New  York,  July  24 
Hunter  College,  New  York,  July  12 

Winship,  Dr.  A.  E.,  Manhattan,  Kans.,  State  Agricultural,  July  29,  30 
Pittsburg,  Kan.,  State  Normal,  June  12,  14 
Las  Vegas,  N.  Mex.,  Normal  University,  June  17-19 
Fayetteville,  Ark.,  June  20-22 
Tahlequah,  Okla.,  June  10-12 
Gainesville,  Fla.,  State  University,  July  8-12 
Rock  Hill,  S.  C.,  Winthrop  College,  July  15-19 
Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  State  Normal,  July  22-26 
Lewiston,  Idaho,  State  Normal,  Aug.  1,  2 
Missoula,  Mont.,  State  Normal,  Aug.  5 
Provo,  Utah,  B.  Young  University,  Aug.  7 
Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  Patriotic  Rallies,  Aug.  8,  9 
Montgomery,  W.  Va.,  Institute,  Aug.  12 
Port  Pleasant,  W.  Va.,  Institute,  Aug.  13 
Huntington,  W.  Va.,  Institute,  Aug.  14,  15 
Princeton,  W.  Va.,  Institute,  Aug.  18,  19 
Logan,  W.  Va.,  Institute,  Aug.  20,  23 
Chicago,  Cook  Co.  Institute,  Aug.  25-27 
Crown  Point,  Ind.,  Institute,  Aug.  28,  29 
East  Greenwich,  R.  L,  Academy,  June  6 

Wrong,  Prof.  G.  M.,  Ann  Arbor,  Mich.,  University,  July  1'^ 


We  then  pi'epared  or  selected  special  literature  to  be  used 
in  the  courses  which  we  proposed  to  offer  in  the  summer 
schools  after  the  speakers  had  done  their  work.  Each  school 
or  group  of  teachers  was  asked  to  determine  whether  it  would 
offer  a one  week  course,  a two  weeks’  course  or  a six  weeks’ 
course,  and  we  agreed  to  furnish  free  the  literature  prepared 
for  each  course. 

In  the  formation  of  these  plans  we  had  the  constant  assist- 
ance of  Professor  C.  H.  VanTyne  of  the  University  of  Michi- 
gan, Professor  Libby  of  the  University  of  Colorado  and  Pro- 
fessor H.  D.  Thompson  of  Princeton.  Professor  Thompson’s 
long  experience  in  charge  of  the  University  schedules  at 
Princeton,  and  his  unusual  knowledge  of  Educational  prob- 
lems made  him  invaluable.  Under  his  skillful  direction  the 
work  has  been  completed ; the  literature  has  been  placed  in  the 
hands  of  about  three  hundred  thousand  teachers ; the  courses 
have  been  conducted  in  many  schools,  and  the  inspirational 
speakers  have  faced  their  audiences  in  forty-three  states. 


22 


Our  plan  is  to  follow  the  work  in  the  teachers’  summer 
schools  by  a similar  work  in  the  teachers’  institutes  held  in 
almost  every  state  at  various  periods  of  the  year.  In  this  way 
we  hope  to  reach  within  twelve  months,  a majority  of  the 
rural  teachers  of  America,  with  inspirational  speakers,  with 
courses,  or  with  special  literature  which  the  teachers  have 
undertaken  to  study. 

The  most  important  bi-product  of  this  campaign  is  the 
leave  of  absence  without  pay  granted  by  Princeton  University 
to  Professor  Thompson  for  the  whole  of  the  coming  academic 
year,  which  he  may  devote  entirely  to  the  educational  work 
of  the  League. 

Professor  Thompson’s  Report. 

Professor  Thompson’s  report  shows  that  we  have  sent 
eminent  patriotic  speakers  to  one  hundred  and  sixty  teach- 
ers’ summer  schools,  sixty-eight  of  which  lie  west  of  the 
Mississippi  Valley,  and  eighty-two  in  the  remaining  states. 
Of  the  southern  schools,  thirty-two  are  schools  for  negro 
teachers,  eight  of  which  are  in  Texas.  He  reports  that  he  has 
distributed  or  is  about  to  distribute,  free  of  charge,  one  hun- 
dred and  forty  thousand  “Teacher’s  Handbooks,”  and  two 
hundred  and  twenty  thousand  “War  Points  for  Americans,” 
the  vast  majority  of  which  have  gone  to  summer  schools,  or  to 
regular  schools  which  will  use  them  in  their  autumn  work. 
The  total  bulk  of  this  war  literature  is  twenty-eight  tons.  In 
all  we  have  thus  reached,  in  one  way  or  another,  some  three 
hundred  teachers’  summer  schools,  and  the  work  above  out- 
lined is  gradually  merging  into  a similar  work  in  the  regular 
teachers’  institutes. 

As  a further  development  of  this  work  we  have  a tentative 
plan  of  dividing  North  Carolina  into  four  districts  each  under 
a capable  negro  teacher,  with  the  hope  that  we  may  reach  dur- 
ing the  winter  months,  November  to  February,  every  negro 
school  in  that  state.  Dr.  Thompson  estimates  that  this  work, 
so  vital  to  the  interests  of  the  country,  could  be  done  for  about 
ten  thousand  dollars,  plus  the  cost  of  the  literature  to  be  used. 

In  the  June  issue  of  the  Journal  of  Education  appears  an 
editorial  by  Dr.  A.  E.  Winship  which  gives,  without  solicitation 
from  the  National  Security  League,  the  editor’s  estimate  of 
the  value  of  this  campaign  for  teaching  teachers. 


23 


“The  American  people,”  he  writes,  “appreciate  as  never 
before  the  significance  of  making  men.  There  are  two  great 
factors  * * * first : Make  them  physically,  intellectually 

and  morally  worthy.  Second : Make  them  100  per  cent. 

Americans.  * * * 

“Fortunately  the  National  Security  League,  R.  M.  Mc- 
Elroy,  educational  director,  is  meeting  the  professional  need 
in  an  heroic  way.  This  season  the  Security  League  will  have 
expert,  ardent,  attractive,  patriotic  speakers  tell  the  truth  in  a 
fearless  way  in  250  summer  schools  of  universities,  colleges, 
and  normal  schools.  In  this  way  100  per  cent.  Americans  will 
inspii'e  more  than  100,000  of  the  most  enterprising  teachers  in 
the  United  States  to  make  100  per  cent.  Americans  of  more 
than  5,000,000  school  children.  (We  reached  300,000). 

“In  these  summer  schools  fully  one-fourth  of  the  students 
will  be  educational  leaders  as  superintendents,  principals, 
teachers  in  colleges  and  normal  schools,  and  educational  writers 
and  lecturers  who  will  influence  teachers  who  are  not  in  these 
summer  schools. 

“Never  before  has  there  been  any  activity  in  the  United 
States,  official  or  otherwise,  that  has  promised  a hundredth 
part  as  great  educational  service  for  democracy  and  humanity 
for  all  time  in  the  same  length  of  time  as  does  this  plan  of  the 
National  Security  League  in  the  professional  schools  of  June, 
July  and  August  of  1918.  All  honor  to  the  250  institutions 
that  welcome  their  speakers  to  their  summer  sessions.” 


VIII. — Further  Activities  and  Sub-divisions  of  Activities 
under  the  Direction  of  the  Committee  on  Patriot- 
ism Through  Education. 

In  October,  1917,  we  requested  the  Board  of  Education  of 
Passaic,  N.  J.,  to  release  for  the  second  term  Miss  Etta  V. 
Leighton,  whose  long  and  unusually  successful  career  as  a 
teacher  of  civics  in  the  public  schools  had  made  her  an  expert 
in  that  field.  Miss  Leighton’s  writings  upon  the  problem  of 
Americanization  and  kindred  topics  had  given  her  a wide  influ- 
ence upon  school  teachers,  and  by  travel  and  special  study  she 
had  become  unusually  well  qualified  to  deal  educationally  with 


24 


the  problems  raised  by  the  war.  The  request  was  granted,  at 
considerable  self-sacrifice  by  the  Passaic  Board,  and  in  January 
Miss  Leighton  entered  upon  her  work  as  Civic  Secretary  for 
the  National  Security  League. 

With  her  help  we  have  developed  a number  of  far-reach- 
ing movements  for  helping  the  teachers  of  the  country,  and 
for  spreading  war  propaganda.  The  most  interesting  are : 

1.  The  Committee  on  Citizenship  in  Elementary  Schools, 
organized  to  carry  on  the  educational  work  of  the  League  in 
schools.  It  has  been,  for  the  six  months  of  its  existence,  in 
close  touch  and  co-operation  with  elementary,  high  and  Nor- 
mal Schools,  with  the  Federal  Bureau  of  Education,  and  with 
the  Educational  Departments  of  Porto  Rico,  Cuba,  the  Philip- 
pines, and  the  Panama  Canal  Zone. 

The  advice  and  assistance  of  this  Committee  has  been  re- 
quested by  agencies  of  varied  character;  thanks  come  for  help 
in  studying  the  issues  of  the  war  from  The  Effort  League  in 
Westchester  County  Penitentiary,  from  teachers  in  Probation- 
ary Schools,  in  Vocational  Schools,  in  private  and  parochial 
schools,  and  in  State  Colleges.  Teachers  have  not  only  read 
the  literature  prepared  for  the  teaching  of  patriotism,  but  have 
sent  in  for  solution  their  individual  problems  of  class  room 
procedure  and  propaganda.  The  Committee  has  become  a 
clearing  house  of  methods  in  teaching  patriotism.  Thousands 
of  teachers  all  over  the  country  are  taking  advantage  of  the 
consulting  service,  which  costs  them  nothing  but  postage. 
They  send  their  inquiries  as  to  methods,  or  questions  as  to 
facts,  their  requests  for  helpful  literature  or  advice  as  to  the 
correlation  of  civics,  history  and  current  events,  and  receive 
promptly  the  information  or  help  asked  for.  This  service  is 
possible  because  the  National  Security  League  is  in  close 
touch  with  every  school  system  in  the  country,  and  through  it 
the  League  is  able  to  obtain  information  concerning  success- 
ful experiments  now  in  progress  in  the  teaching  of  civics, 
history,  and  patriotism,  and  through  correspondence  is  able 
to  pass  on  to  teachers  everywhere  the  result  of  such  work  and 
explain  the  methods  used. 

2.  Another  important  activity  developed  through  Miss 
Leighton  is  the  Correspondence  Course  in  Patriotism.  This 
course  is  a definite  response  to  the  expressed  desire  of  the 


25 


teachers  of  the  country  for  material  on  which  they  can  base 
their  lessons  on  our  government  and  explain  the  meaning  of 
democracy.  Each  mail  brings  in  more  applications  for  the 
course. 

3.  In  response  to  a persistent  demand  for  literature  deal- 
ing with  fundamental  American  ideals,  the  chart,  “The  Mean- 
ing of  America,”  was  prepared.  It  epitomizes  not  only  the 
Meaning  of  America,  but  the  reasons  for  our  entrance  into 
the  World  War.  About  twenty  thousand  copies  of  this  chart 
have  been  distributed,  chiefly  to  schools,  labor  organizations, 
and  in  connection  with  Americanization  work,  and  requests 
for  copies  come  from  every  section  of  the  country. 

4.  The  rural  schools,  in  which  54  per  cent,  of  our  chil- 
dren are  taught  for  the  most  part  by  young,  inadequately 
trained  teachers,  present  a peculiar  problem.  The  Commit- 
tee on  Citizenship  has  given  special  thought  to  their  needs  and 
has  prepared  charts  which  will  be  of  great  benefit  in  giving 
in  simple  form  material  for  lessons  in  civics  and  patriotism. 
The  charts  bear  suggestions  for  their  use  by  teachers,  and 
constitute  in  themselves  a course  in  methods. 

5.  During  the  week  of  the  Chicago  exchange  lecture 
courses,  the  teachers  of  New  York  sent  in  requests  for  follow- 
up material,  and  sent  definite  questions  concerning  their  class- 
room problems.  Hundreds  of  letters  answering  the  individual 
questions  were  sent  out  by  this  department,  and  to  meet  the 
general  need  for  follow-up  material,  a booklet,  “The  Second 
Line  Trench,”  was  prepared,  which  many  teachers  say  has 
been  of  real  service  to  them. 

6.  Two  nation- wfide  celebrations  were  engineered,  the 
first  of  these,  the  Lincoln  Day  Celebration,  to  combat  the  propa- 
ganda which  aliented  Russia  and  to  arm  the  people  against  pre- 
mature peace.  The  three  cardinals  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church  and  the  church  dignitaries  of  other  denominations  all 
co-operated,  and  on  the  Sunday  before  February  12th,  by  ser- 
mons and  special  services,  carried  out  the  Lincoln  Celebration 
plan.  On  Lincoln  Day,  State  Departments  of  Education  and 
Governors  co-operated  in  Security  League  celebrations  which 
were  held  in  every  state. 


26 


In  this  Lincoln  Day  celebration  the  Masons,  the  Knights  of 
Columbus,  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  other  fraternal  and  patriotic  so- 
cieties co-operated  with  us. 

The  second  celebration  was  a nation-wide  service  of  song 
on  Flag  Day,  June  14th.  In  this  celebration  twenty-eight  gov- 
ernors of  States  co-operated  by  proclamation  and  statement. 
Magazines  and  newspapers  explained  the  plan,  and  in  motion 
picture  houses  throughout  the  country,  the  141st  anniversar}' 
of  the  flag  was  celebrated  by  the  singing  of  “The  Star  Spangled 
Banner”  and  other  war  songs. 

Advantage  was  taken  of  opportunities  to  explain  the  work 
we  are  doing  by  speaking  at  meetings  in  Chicago,  Atlantic  City, 
and  Pittsburgh,  each  time  to  groups  representing  many  states 
and  thousands  of  teachers.  A score  of  conferences  with 
teachers  in  Pittsburgh  and  Chautauqua,  and  an  address  on 
Memorial  Day  before  the  Colored  Division  of  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Defense  afforded  oppoitunit)'  to  forward  the  work 
of  the  League. 


IX.— Americanization  Work. 

The  Bureau  of  Patriotism  Through  Education  has  been 
called  on  for  help  in  Americanization  by  groups  throughout 
the  country.  Information  as  to  methods  and  plans  in  use  in 
various  parts  of  the  country  have  been  circulated  through  this 
department,  and  the  service  has  been  much  appreciated. 

Conferences  and  correspondence  with  the  New  York 
Board  of  Education’s  Committee  on  the  preparation  of  a syl- 
labus of  war  facts  for  use  in  the  New  York  public  schools  was 
one  activity  of  this  department. 

Helping  to  plan  courses  in  citizenship  teaching  and  Amer- 
icanization for  Normal  schools,  and  co-operating  with  the 
U.  S.  Department  of  Labor,  the  W.  S.  S.  Bureau,  and  with 
patriotic  and  fraternal  societies,  have  been  other  features  of 
the  work. 

The  women  of  America  are  being  organized  for  pro- 
American  propaganda.  The  U.  S.  Department  of  Women’s 
War  Work  has  circulated  the  story  of  this  campaign  initiated 
by  the  Civic  Secretary.  It  includes  the  v/omen  of  Councils  of 
Defense,  Teachers’  Organizations,  and  many  other  groups  of 


27 


individuals.  Their  motto  is  “For  every  Hun  lie  uttered,  we 
will  utter  an  American  truth.”  The  propaganda  is  in  re- 
sponse to  General  Pershing’s  message,  “We  will  smash 
the  German  line  in  France,  if  you  will  srnash  Hun  propaganda 
at  home.”  It  includes  the  sending,  in  letters  to  our  soldiers, 
of  slips  bearing  messages  of  encouragement  written  in  the 
French  language. 

Close  co-operation  with  the  libraries  of  the  country  has 
been  obtained,  and  the  service  has  been  extended  to  private, 
public,  Sunday  School  and  club  libraries,  as  well  as  to  State 
Libraries  and  the  Library  of  Congress.  Every  branch  of  the 
National  Security  League  is  provided  with  a leaflet  concerning 
library  service,  showing  how  the  League  literature  can  be  made 
a factor  in  the  community  life  and  how  a Letter  Writing  Squad 
of  the  Branch  League  can  do  effective  propaganda  work.  The 
Library  Story  Tellers  frequently  confer  or  correspond  with 
the  Civic  Secretary. 

Authors  and  publishers  have  availed  themselves  of  our 
judgment  as  to  what  is  good  patriotic  material,  and  the  League 
literature  has  been  made  the  basis  of  many  courses  of  study 
and  of  books  published  by  State  Educational  Departments  for 
the  use  of  the  schools. 


X. — Campaign  for  the  English  Language. 

Another  important  activity  in  which  we  are  engaged  is 
that  of  the  Campaign  for  the  English  Language.  Realizing 
that  the  vital  interests  of  this  country  demand  English  as  the 
basic  language,  we  have  successfully  sought  to  influence  the 
public  school  systems  of  New  York  directly,  and  of  other  sec- 
tions less  directly,  to  abolish  the  use  of  all  foreign  tongues  as 
a substitute  for  English,  to  suppress  the  teaching  of  German 
in  the  public  schools  as  unnecessary  and  as  a harboring  place 
for  German  propaganda,  and  to  try  to  bring  all  of  the  races 
of  our  country  to  the  point  where  the  use  of  English  will  be 
instinctive  with  them.  Our  influence  in  procuring  the  favor- 
able action  of  the  New  York  Board  of  Education  in  this  par- 
ticular matter  was  certainly  considerable,  and  the  influence  of 
their  decision  throughout  the  country  was  almost  inestimably 
great.  Our  Committee  on  Citizenship  for  the  Elementary 


28 


Schools  has  issued  a circular  letter  to  superintendents  of 
schools  asking  them  to  take  advantage  of  inventory  time  to  rid 
their  systems  of  books  containing  German  propaganda,  and  has 
conducted  an  inquiry  into  the  question  of  the  discontinuance 
of  German  teaching  throughout  the  country.  The  information 
thus  secured  has  been  widely  disseminated  and  has  added 
strength  to  the  movement  for  a one  language  nation. 


XI. — Editorial  Work. 

The  editorial  work  of  the  Bureau,  during  the  past  year, 
has  been  very  great.  About  two  hundred  manuscripts  ranging 
in  size  from  brief  pamphlets  to  considerable  volumes,  have 
been  carefully  read  by  a succession  of  readers  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Mrs.  McElroy.  Of  these  over  fifty  have  been  accepted 
and  printed,  either  among  the  regular  publications  of  the 
League,  or  through  fi'iendly  agencies,  such  as  the  Independent. 


XII . — Speeches  of  the  Educational  Director. 

In  addition  to  these  activities  which  have  developed  during 
the  year,  the  Educational  Director  has  personally  addressed 
104  meetings  whose  audiences  aggregate  129,775.  Of  these 
meetings  forty-three  were  composed  wholly  or  in  a very  large 
measure  of  public  school  teachers. 


XIII. — Some  Pending  Questions. 

There  are  at  present  under  consideration  several  matters 
which  may  result  in  new  activities  of  great  importance. 

First,  Dr.  Liberty  Hyde  Bailey  has  recently  suggested  a 
plan  for  the  organization  for  national  service  of  rural  com- 
munities. He  is  now  in  Texas  lecturing  in  a number  of  sum- 
mer schools  in  connection  with  our  campaign  for  teaching 
teachers.  The  matter  will  be  taken  up  again  upon  his  return. 


29 


Second,  The  Federal  Commissioner  of  Education,  Dr. 
Claxton,  has  suggested  a plan  for  the  more  efficient  distribution 
of  war  material  for  teachers  and  school  children.  If  we  can 
carry  out  his  ideas  we  shall  accomplish  an  educational  work  of 
unparalleled  magnitude. 

Third,  We  are  also  considering  the  preparation  in  the 
Italian  language,  of  a booklet  upon  the  issues  of  the  war.  It 
is  to  be  of  about  sixty-four  pages,  more  elementary  in  character 
than  our  Teacher’s  Handbook;  and  in  its  distribution  we  shall 
probably  have  the  assistance  of  the  Order  of  the  Sons  of  Italy, 
an  organization  with  over  a thousand  lodges. 

Fourth,  Professor  Braested,  the  famous  Oriental  scholar, 
has  submitted  an  interesting  and  carefully  elaborated  plan  for 
a new  type  of  patriotic  organization  in  American  high  schools. 
His  suggestions  are  soon  to  be  considered  by  a conference  of 
representative  high  school  teachers  and  principals.  The  pre- 
liminary report  made  by  Dr.  Wolf  son,  principal  of  the  Com- 
mercial High  School  of  New  York  City,  is  favorable  to  the 
plan,  and  he  hopes  before  long  to  be  able  to  launch  the 
movement. 

May  I say,  in  conclusion,  that  the  extraordinary  develop- 
ment of  the  work  of  the  Bureau  during  the  past  year  has  been 
due  in  part  to  the  fact  that  the  President  of  the  League  and 
the  Executive  Committee  have  always  been  ready  to  act 
promptly  and  to  finance  liberally  when  new  and  promising 
chances  of  service  have  arisen.  It  has  been  due  also  to 
the  fact  that  the  American  public  is  eager  for  leadership  and 
readily  responsive  to  constructive  ideas  upon  questions  of  pub- 
lic education.  The  nation  is  beginning  to  realize  that  we  are 
not  educationally  equipped  for  our  tasks,  and  is  ready  to  act. 
The  possibilities  open  to  the  League  are  therefore  dazzingly 
brilliant,  if  only  we  can  command  the  means  necessary  for 
meeting  our  opportunities.  These  chances  are  not  likely  to 
return.  A motto  of  Washington  says,  “In  time  of  peace 
prepare  for  war,”  but  as  we  look  forward  to  the  future  of 
this  great  country  we  must  realize  that  this  is  only  half  a 
motto,  for  we  must  add,  “In  time  of  war  prepare  for 
peace.”  The  days  of  isolation  for  America  have  passed 


30 


forever.  We  have  taken  our  place  as  a vital  factor  among  the 
great  nations  of  the  world.  We  can  never  again  dare  to  think 
locally  or  to  dream  the  dream  of  isolation.  Our  educational 
facilities  must  be  keyed  to  a future  of  world  thinking,  and 
we  must  remember  as  an  educational  organization  that  the 
world  can  never  be  made  safe  for  an  ignorant  and  an  inefficient 
democracy. 

Very  sincerely  yours, 

ROBERT  McNUTT  McELROY, 

Educational  Director. 


31 


OFFICERS  AND  COMMITTEES 


Hoyiorary  President — Ei<ihu  Root,  New  York. 


[Joseph  H.  Choate  was  Honorary  President  from  date  of  organization 
until  his  death.  May  14,  1917.] 


BUREAU  OF  PATRIOTISM  THROUGH 
EDUCATION 


7 


Honorary  Vice-President — Alton  B.  Parker,  New  York. 
President— ■Q.YLksx.'&s  E.  Lydecker,  New  York. 

Vice-Presidents — George  Wharton  Pepper,  Philadelphia. 

WiLLET  M.  Spooner,  Milwaukee. 

Luke  E.  Wright,  Memphis. 

James  W.  Gerard,  New  York 
Myron  T.  Herrick,  Cleveland. 

Secretary — Franklin  Remington,  New  York 
Treasurer — Alexander  J.  Hemphill,  New  York. 

Chairman , Board  of  Directors— E.  Lydecker,  New  York. 
Educational  Director— McNuTT  McElroy. 

Director  of  Speaker's  Bureau — Thomas  J.  PrESTOn,  Jr. 

Executive  Secretary — Henry  L.  West. 

Assistant  Secretary— Smalley. 


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Educational  Director , Chairman— McNutt  McElroy. 
Secretary — Mrs.  Thomas  J.  Preston,  Jr. 

Educational  Secretary— Dallas  Thompson. 

Civic  Secretary— Etta  V.  Leighton. 

Henry  J.  Allen,  Wichita,  Kans. 

Hermon  C.  Bumpus,  Tufts  College,  Massachusetts. 

Philander  P.  Claxton,  Bureau  of  Education,  Washington,  D.  C. 
John  H.  Finley,  University  of  the  State  of  New  York,  Albany. 
Albert  Bushnell  Hart,  Harvard  University. 

Charles  E.  Lydecker,  New  York. 

ShaileR  Mathews,  University  of  Chicago. 

Mrs.  Philip  North  Moore,  National  Council  of  Women. 

Thomas  F.  Moran,  Purdue  University,  Ind. 

Charles  P.  Neill,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Calvin  W.  Rice,  American  Society  of  Mechanical  Engineers. 
Jacob  H.  Schief,  New  York. 

Arthur  M.  Wolfson,  High  School  of  Commerce,  New  York. 


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The  purpose  of  this  committee  is  to  enlighten  the  public  mind  witipisi®#’ 


reference  to  the  war,  to  emphasize  the  necessity  of  a sound,  well  admit 
istered  system  of  public  education  as  the  basis  of  democracy,  and 


bring  about  a closer  union  of  all  the  educational  forces  of  the  counti; 
with  reference  to  the  fundamental  problems  of  popular  government. 


FOR  FURTHER  INFORMATION  ADDRESS  THE 

EDUCATIONAL  DIRECTOR,  N.  S.  L. 

19  West  44th  Street  new  York  Cit 


DUKE  UNIVERSITY 
LIBRARY 


DURHAM,  NORTH  CAROLINA 
27706 


